Action will now be taken to deport the men, aged 28 and 32, as they do not have any rights to residency of the UK.

A further Bangladeshi man, aged 24, lost his job at the Bridge Street curry house as he is not entitled to work in the UK.

The restaurant was issued with civil penalty notices of up to £10,000 per illegal worker – leaving it facing a total fine of up to £30,000.

Wallace Wilson, manager of the agency’s north east immigration team, said: “We carry out intelligence-led patrols in all parts of the region seven days a week and will continue to clamp down on employers who choose to use illegal labour.

“In recent weeks, we have made arrests at locations spanning an area from Berwick to North Yorkshire.

“The message to employers is very clear, wherever you are – carry out the proper checks or expect a visit.

“We would urge members of the public with detailed information about suspected illegal working to get in touch.”

Maharaj’s Lounge now has 30 days to show that it carried out proper checks on its workers or pay up.

The north east immigration team can be contacted on (0191) 238 0484 or by visiting www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime/